The PHD Movie 2: Still in Grad School

$163,442

3,962

What is this?

In 2011, we took a huge risk and did something that had never been done before: an independently produced movie adaptation of an online comic. The PHD Movie, based on Piled Higher and Deeper (phdcomics.com), featured real grad students and scientists in many of the lead roles (including producer and director), and was screened at over 500 Universities and Research Centers worldwide (including Antarctica!) during its release.

We want to create a film that follows up on the characters from the first movie and tells more hilarious and heart-felt stories from the front lines of Academic research.

Many of the people involved in the first movie are starting to move on, so our window to make this is short! Let's make something amazing happen!

What do I get if I contribute?

You get to see the movie! All rewards give you access to the movie once we release it. BUT HERE'S THE THING: At $100K, our Kickstarter goal is only enough to cover the production costs for a 30 minute sequel (film production is very expensive). So, the more we raise, the longer and better we can make the movie! Help make the movie better for everyone by telling your friends and spreading the word!

In addition to the rewards, all backers get behind-the-scenes access to our writing and production updates. You get to see what Jorge and the cast are doing and watch early clips from the movie!

How can I help?

We know grad students have a limited budget, so there are other ways you can help. The most important thing is to spread the word! Post this on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr throughout the campaign. Tell your labmates! Tell your parents! Tell your Professor! Ok, maybe don't tell your Professor (unless they are PHD Comics fans).

In addition to helping us spread the word, we will need a lot of extras, actors for small parts, and musicians. If you are interested and live in Southern California, please contact us!

Why a sequel?

Why do a follow-up project? During the release of the first movie, we got emails from people all over the world who had seen the movie:

'It gave me so much comfort to know that I'm not the only one suffering!'
-Amanda, Queen's U.

'Oh it's brilliant! Simply a marvel!'
-David, Tech. U. of Denmark

'I realized my feelings about my research are normal.' -Sinikiwe, U. of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

We think the first movie resonated with a lot of people because it showed something that you don't typically see in other movies or shows: that scientists and researchers are human, and they are passionate and funny. A sequel would let us tell more stories about these characters and help communicate to the public what it's like to be an academic.

What is PHD Comics?

If you aren't familiar with PHD Comics, it is one of the longest running comic strips online (www.phdcomics.com). About 7 million people visit the website each year, with readers from every continent. To catch up, check out this list of TOP 200 PHD Comics. We're also the same people who started PHD TV, a science and discovery outreach channel on YouTube with over 4 million views.

What's the movie about?

Whereas the first movie was about creativity and passion, the theme of the second movie will be the Quest for Significance (significant results, feeling significant). The general plot finds Cecilia about to submit and defend her thesis. Expect lots of jokes about the agony of writing, dealing with your committee, more jokes about being a Teaching Assistant and overcoming the dreaded Impostor Syndrome.

Sketches from Jorge's notebook as he brainstorms ideas for the movie. You'll get access to more of these when you back the project.

If we raise enough, the plot will take the entire Smith lab to a remote academic conference, where we'll meet a host of new characters, including some from the comics archive like Mariko and Prof. Smith's Nemesis, Dr. Sangeeta (dun dun dun!).

Stretch Goals!

We made our minimum, now let's see how awesome we can make this movie!

(Unlocked!) $110,000: Exclusive comic! Jorge will post a special comic for backers only.

(Unlocked!) $115,000: Tajel gets married wedding scene. If it fits the final script, we'll have enough to stage the wedding scene.

(Unlocked!) $120,000: Longer movie! We'll stretch the budget to give you more of the story we want to tell.

(Unlocked!) $125,000: The University with the most Backers gets a free screening and live Q&A with Jorge and a member of the Cast and Crew. If you're a backer, we'll hang out before the movie and give you free food (it might be ramen).

(Unlocked!) $130,000: All backers at or above Full Professor will get a signed 8.5x11 print of their favorite PHD Strip.

(Unlocked!) $135,000: Longer movie! We'll stretch the budget to give you more of the story we want to tell!

Associate Producers

Norwegian Research School of Computer and Information Security (COINS). Interested in studying information security research? Visit the COINS website: https://www.coinsrs.no

Papers is an app and desktop software that helps you organize your citations and references. Check them out at http://papersapp.com.

Risks and challenges

Every film project is risky, and many things can happen on set and during post-production. However, our team has produced and distributed one movie before, plus over 57 high-quality videos for PHD TV (phdcomics.com/tv). In addition we will have production insurance and contingency plans.

The biggest issue will be making the most of our funds. Our goal of $100K is really only enough to film a 30 minute movie. We will film as efficiently as possible without sacrificing quality.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $35 or more
About $35

THE T.A.: [Streaming+Download+Personalized Signed Script] You'll get the movie (streaming and download), your name on the PHD website, plus a digitally signed pdf of the script when the movie is released that includes special art and a personal dedication to you by Jorge with a letter grade.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $45 or more
About $45

THE PH.DVD COMBO PACK: [Streaming+Download+Script+Both Movie DVDs] You get the movie (streaming and download), the Script with special art, and both movie DVDs (PHD Movie 1 and 2) each with behind-the-scenes special features.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

THE POSTDOC: [Streaming+Download+Script+Small Poster] The movie, your name on the PHD website, a digitally signed pdf of the script with special art by Jorge, plus an exclusive 8.5x11 poster of the movie signed by Jorge and members of the cast and crew.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

THE ASSISTANT PROFESSOR: [Streaming+Download+Script+Cartoon] Jorge will draw a doodle portrait of you from your academic homepage photo and send you the .jpg file! Also includes the movie and special edition script.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

THE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR: Just like in real life, this reward is exactly like the Assistant Professor, but with a fancier title. Just kidding, we'll also send you a postcard! You'll get the movie (streaming and download), the pdf of the script, Jorge will draw a doodle portrait of you from your academic homepage photo and send you the .jpg, and you'll receive a limited edition thank-you postcard signed by Jorge and members of the cast and crew.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $125 or more
About $125

THE FULL PROFESSOR: [Streaming+Download+Script+Small Poster+Cartoon Print] Jorge will draw a doodle portrait of you from your academic homepage photo and send you a signed print of it. You also get the small poster signed by the cast and crew (plus the movie and special edition script!).

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $175 or more
About $175

THE PH.DVD DELUXE COMBO PACK: [Streaming+Download+Script+Small Poster+Both Movie DVDs Signed] You get the movie (streaming and download), the Script with special art, the 8.5x11 small poster signed by members of the cast and crew, and both movie DVDs (PHD Movie 1 and 2) with behind-the-scenes special features signed by Jorge and members of the cast and crew.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $225 or more
About $225

THE PROFESSOR EMERITUS: [Streaming+Download+Script+Small Poster+Cartoon Print+Thanks in Credits] Your donation will be made on behalf of your current or former advisor. They will be thanked in a special section of the credits. Plus, Jorge will draw a doodle of him or her and send you a signed print of it. You also get the movie (streaming and download), the script, and a 8.5x11 small poster signed by Jorge and members of the cast and crew.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: [Streaming+Download+Script+Cartoon Print+Credits+Full Poster] You'll get the movie, the script, a large poster signed by the cast and crew, Jorge will draw a doodle portrait of you from your academic homepage photo and send you a signed print of it, and your name will appear in the movie's credits.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $350 or more
About $350

THE ENDOWED CHAIR: [Streaming+Download+Script+Cartoon Print+Credits+Full Poster+2 DVDs+Twitter/Facebook follow]
You’ll the movie (streaming, download and both movie DVD’s), the script, the signed poster, Jorge will draw a doodle portrait of you and send you a signed print, your name will appear in the credits, plus Jorge will follow you on Twitter/Facebook for one year and personally tweet/post you (or your research group) to thank you for how awesome you are.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1,500 or more
About $1,500

THE VICE-CHANCELLOR: You can get anything you want from above, the screening license, the live Q&A via Skype with Jorge and members of the cast and crew, plus your name, the name of your research group and/or your research project will appear as a cameo IN the movie.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $4,000 or more
About $4,000

THE NOBEL PRIZE: You can get anything you want from above, plus Associate Producer credit on the movie, and you'll be invited on set and to the wrap and premiere parties (you must provide your own travel and accommodations to Los Angeles).